Streaming media encoder with front panel control interface

ABSTRACT

A streaming media encoder for encoding and delivering media content is disclosed. The streaming media encoder has a media input interface for receiving a media stream, a media encoder for receiving the media stream from the input interface and encoding the media stream, thereby producing an encoded media stream. The media encoder has a first confidence monitor for displaying a video image from the received media stream, a second confidence monitor for displaying a video image from the encoded media stream, and a network interface for providing the encoded media stream to a network

RELATED INVENTIONS

This application is related to and being filed concurrently with U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/220,225 (Attorney docket no.VWSI-27,262), entitled “STREAMING MEDIA ENCODER WITH CONFIDENCEMONITOR,” and filed on Sep. 6, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to streaming media, and more particularlyto a device for providing streaming media over the Internet or a privatenetwork.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the use of the Internet has become ubiquitous more services are beingoffered online. This includes not only interactive services for whichthe Internet is widely known, such as email, online shopping, onlinebanking, and customized information services, but has also come toinclude services that have traditionally been non-interactive, such asthe provision of radio programming and television programming. Streamingmedia, in primitive forms, has been present on the Internet for sometime. However, as greater numbers of users gain access to high speeddata lines through school, through work, or through a home basedbroadband solution more people will come to see the Internet in general,and streaming media in particular, as a viable alternative for thedelivery of media content. This includes daily programming such astypically appears on network broadcasting stations as well as specialevent programming such as movies and sporting events.

Streaming media delivery is both promising and problematic. Withtraditional media delivery vehicles such as broadcasting and cable orsatellite feeds, users typically must plan to be available when thebroadcast is available or make other arrangements on their own. Howeverwith streaming media and Internet content, users expect delivery to beat their discretion. This can raise a variety of issues for providers asthey a attempt to deal with what is essentially replicating thebroadcast event for every viewer. In addition to current and ongoingprogramming, providers are also faced with the problem of legacyprogramming that may still prove valuable, if it can be provided, moreor less on-demand when viewers so request. The vast amount ofprogramming currently available, as well as the large volume ofnon-digital legacy programming, can create problems associated with thescale or size of a given operation as well as with the technicaldifficulties involved in the delivery.

Therefore what is needed is a system and method for dealing with theissues discussed above and related issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspectthereof, comprises a method for monitoring an encoding process of anaudiovisual media stream. The method includes receiving an input signalfrom an analog or digital audiovisual source, extracting a text feedfrom the audiovisual source, encoding the input signal to produce anencoded media stream, providing the encoded media stream to a networkinterface, and displaying the received input signal on a confidencemonitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of a streaming media encoderin accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of another embodiment of a streaming mediaencoder in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a menu system of a systemstatus monitor for a streaming media encoder in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of one embodiment of a streaming media encoder inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a streaming media encoder inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6. is a perspective view of the streaming media encoder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plurality of streaming media encoders in oneembodiment of a rack mounting system in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a streaming media encoder according toaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a streaming media encoderaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an operating environment for oneor more streaming media encoders according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart corresponding to one possible mode of operationof a streaming media encoder according to aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart corresponding to another possible mode ofoperation of a streaming media encoder according to aspects of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, afrontal view of one embodiment of a streaming media encoder 100 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Thestreaming media encoder 100 has a front mounting plate 105, in which aremounted a number of interface implements as will be described. One ormore mounting points 110, in this case bolt or screw holes, possiblyincluding captive bolts or screws, may be provided at various locationson the front plate 105 to provide means for attaching the streamingmedia encoder 100 to a rack or other mounting point. A view screen, orconfidence monitor 115, is provided along with monitor channel selectionbuttons 120. A cycle selection button 122 and indicator light 124 mayalso be provided. Audio level meters 125 are provided, which correspondto the two input channels A and B. A headphone jack 126 may also beprovided for monitoring of the input audio signals. A volume control, inthis case volume control buttons 127 may be provided to adjust thevolume or gain of an input signal as played through the headphone jack126. A selector switch 130 may be provided for switching the currentmode of operation of the streaming media encoder 100. Associated withthe selector switch 130 are a series of indicator lights 132 providinginformation regarding the currently selected mode of operation of thestreaming media encoder 100. The streaming media encoder 100 may featureone or more ventilation grilles 145. The ventilation grille 145 may belocated substantially near the center of the front plate 105 or in otherlocations according the needs of the user.

The streaming media encoder 100 may also provide a series of monitoroutputs 150 which may be used to monitor the input signal, or in someembodiments, may also be used to view the encoded media signal, as willbe described in greater detail below. A series of activity indicatorlights 155 may serve to indicate to a user the current activity of thestreaming media encoder 100. Similarly, a series of status lights 157may be provided to indicate the status of various internal components ofthe streaming media encoder 100. Reset and power buttons 158, 159 arealso provided. A system status monitor 160 may be provided, which mayinclude a text display 160 and a series of control buttons 165.

The confidence monitor 115 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen,a plasma screen, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or another type of display.The size of the confidence monitor 115 may be chosen to fit the needs ofthe user. In the present embodiment, the confidence monitor 115 is sizedproportionately to fit the front plate 105 such that the confidencemonitor 115 is viewable in the front plate 105 without hinges, swivels,or other adjustments. Likewise, the quality or resolution of theconfidence monitor 115 may be chosen based upon the needs of the enduser. The confidence monitor 115 may be able to produce video from phasealternate line (PAL) format, National Television Systems Committee(NTSC) format, or other transmission formats. In one embodiment, theconfidence monitor may present a graphical representation of a set ofcontrols using video graphics array (VGA) signals, super VGA (SVGA)signals, extended VGA (XVGA) signals, or another graphics representationstandards.

The confidence monitor 115 is adapted to display a video loop feed froman input to the streaming media encoder 100 as will be described ingreater detail below. In the present embodiment, the confidence monitor115 can display the video loop from one of two distinct inputs to thestreaming media encoder 100. The two inputs may be referred to aschannels A and B. Command buttons 120, or other selection means, may beprovided to allow a user to chose which channel is to be displayed onthe confidence monitor 115. The command buttons 120 and other buttonsshown on the front plate 105 may, in come cases, be replaced with rotaryknobs, dials, slides, touchscreens, or other suitable user inputimplements. The buttons may provide analog or digital signals asdictated by the specific implementation of the streaming media encoderand the needs of the user. In one embodiment, the command buttons 120and other buttons shown may be pressure sensitive or solid statebuttons.

The user may also have the option to have the confidence monitor 115cycle between channels A and B by pressing the cycle selection button122. In additional embodiments, more channels may be provided to theconfidence monitor 115. The confidence monitor 115 may cycle betweenchannels A and B at a predetermined interval (e.g., displaying each for5 seconds and then switching) or the user may be able to program thecycle length using a system status monitor or via remote configurationas described below. A cycle indicator light 124, which may be a lightemitting diode (LED) or other selectable light source may provideimmediate indication that the confidence monitor 115 is in cycle mode.In another embodiment, the confidence monitor 115 may be configured toprovide a split screen view such that both channels A and B aredisplayed simultaneously. In further embodiments, the user may also havethe option of having the confidence monitor display the encoded outputsignal. In such case, an internal decoder may be used to decode theencoded output signal and provide a video feed back to the confidencemonitor 115.

In addition to the input video loop feeds associated with each ofchannels A and B, audio loop feeds for each channel may be monitored byaudio level meters 125. The audio level meters 125 may be bar graphstyle light emitting diode (LED) meters and may provide levelinformation for stereo audio signals. Using the audio level meters 125,an operator may be able to ascertain visually whether the input audiosignals are present. Volume buttons 127 may be provided to allow theuser to adjust the volume level of the audio input feed as delivered tothe headphone jack 126. In another embodiment, the streaming mediaencoder 100 will have one or more internal speakers for monitoring theinput signal in addition to, or instead of, the headphone jack 126.

Additional command buttons and indicator lights associated with theconfidence monitor 115 may also be provided. For example, shown in thepresent embodiment is command button 130 which serves as a mode selectorfor selecting the overall operative mode of the confidence monitor 115.Indicators lights 132 may also be provided that indicate visually to auser the current mode of operation of the confidence monitor 115. In theembodiment shown, there are indicator lights 132 corresponding to“NORMAL” mode, “TEST SOURCE” mode, and “AUTO” mode. NORMAL mode maycorrespond to a mode of operation where normal audiovisual inputs arebeing displayed on the confidence monitor 115 and encoded by thestreaming media encoder 100. TEST SOURCE mode may correspond to a testsignal being displayed by the confidence monitor and/or the audio levelmeters 127 rather than an actual input feed. AUTO mode may correspond toa mode for displaying video and audio on the confidence monitor 115 andaudio level meters 127, respectively, when a signal is available, andfor displaying a test signal otherwise. Although three modes ofoperations and their associated indicator lights have been described,the streaming media encoder 100 is not meant to be so limited, as othermodes of operation are contemplated and fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

The grating or grille 145 may be formed directly on the front panel 105or it may be a discrete, attached component. In some embodiments, thegrille 145 may be removable to facilitate cleaning or to access theinside of the streaming media encoder 100. The grille 145 may serve toprovide airflow or ventilation to the components inside the streamingmedia encoder 100. In one embodiment, the grille 145 serves as acovering for one or more speakers (not shown) which may correspond tothe audio signal of the selected input channel. The grille 145 may alsoserve as a covering for one or more electric fans (not shown) to provideforced air cooling of the streaming media encoder 100.

A number of monitor output connections 150 may be provided. Thesemonitor output connections 150 correspond to the input channels A and B.In another embodiment the output connections 150 may also correspond toa decoded version of the encoded output signals of the streaming mediaencoder. The encoded output signals are also provided at the rear of thestreaming media encoder 100 as will be described in greater detailbelow. The output connections 150 themselves may be of an industrystandard type, such as Radio Corporation of America (RCA) connectors. Inone embodiment, a separate connector 150 may be provided for each stereoaudio component and for the video signal component corresponding to eachof channels A and B.

Additional indicator lights 155, 157 may be provided for displayingadditional information visually without the need to interact with thestreaming media encoder 100. The indicator lights 155 may be “Activity”lights that may illuminate when an internal disc is being accessed, whena local area network (LAN) connection is active, or when some otheractivity is occurring. The indicator lights 157 may correspond to alarmconditions or other conditions that may require attention to thestreaming media encoder 100. For example, indicator lights 157 mayindicate an alarm or fault condition such as high voltage, a fanfailure, or a power supply failure. In this case, the indicator lights157 may have a separate power supply, such as a battery backup, suchthat the indicator lights 157 remain operable even when power to thestreaming media encoder 100 has been interrupted. A “RESET” button 158may be provided that will reset the entire streaming media encoder 100.A “POWER” button for controlling the main power to the streaming mediaencoder 100 is also provided.

The system status monitor (SSM) 160 is also provided in an accessibleand viewable location on the front plate 105. The SSM 160 includes atext display area 162. In the present embodiment, the text display areamay be a liquid crystal display (LCD) having one or more lines fordisplaying the text of user requested information and for providing userprompts for the adjustment and configuration of system settings for thestreaming media encoder 100. The text display 162 may also provideinformation during alarm conditions. A set of buttons 165 is providednear the text display 160 and may be utilized to provide user input forconfiguring the streaming media encoder 100. Information that may bedisplayed on the text display 162 of the SSM 160 as well as thefunctions and settings accessible using the text display 162 and buttons165 is described in greater detail below with regard to the menu system.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a frontal view of another embodiment of astreaming media encoder 200 in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure is shown. The streaming media encoder 200 is substantiallysimilar to the streaming media encoder 100 discussed above. Thestreaming media encoder 200 has a front mounting plate 205, in which aremounted a number of interface implements. One or more mounting points210, possibly including captive fasteners, may be provided at variouslocations on the front plate 205. A first view screen, or confidencemonitor 215, is provided along with monitor channel selection buttons220. A cycle selection button 122 and indicator light 224 may also beprovided. Audio level meters 225 may be provided, which correspond toaudio signals for channels A and B. Volume control buttons 227, may beprovided to adjust the volume or gain of an input signal as relayedthrough the headphone jack 226. A selector switch 230 may be providedfor switching the current mode of the streaming media encoder 100.Associated with the selector switch 130 are a series of indicator lights132 providing information regarding the currently selected mode ofoperation of the first confidence monitor 215. The streaming mediaencoder 200 may also provide a series of monitor outputs 250 which maybe used by a user to monitor the encoded media signal. A series ofactivity indicator lights 255 may serve to indicate to a user thecurrent activity of the streaming media encoder 200. A series of statuslights 257 may be provided to indicate the status of various internalcomponents of the streaming media encoder 100. Reset and power buttons258, 259 are also provided. A system status monitor 260 may be providedthat may include a text display 260 and a series of control buttons 265.

In addition to the features shared with the streaming media encoder 100of FIG. 1, the streaming media encoder 200 includes a second confidencemonitor 267. The second confidence monitor 267 may be substantiallysimilar to the first confidence monitor 215. However, the secondconfidence monitor 267, may be used to monitor the encoded video signalrather than the input signal. In such case, an internal decoder firstdecodes the encoded output audio and video signal and provides the videoportion of the signal to the second confidence monitor 267. In thismanner, the streaming media encoder 200 provides encoding and pre- andpost-encoding confidence monitoring for at least two input channels. Aswith the first confidence monitor 215, the second confidence monitor maybe set to display an output channel A or B by command buttons 270, orset to cycle by using command button 272. As with the first confidencemonitor 215, a headphone jack 276 and output volume control buttons 277may be provided as well as one or more additional selector switches 280for switching between operating modes such as NORMAL, TEST, and AUTO.The operating mode of the second confidence monitor 265 may be shown byindicator lights 282.

Referring also now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram 300 of one embodiment of amenu system of a system status monitor (SSM) for a streaming mediaencoder in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.The system status monitor of 160 of FIGS. 1 and 260 of FIG. 2 may beused to provide real time information and data regarding the performanceof the streaming media encoder 100 and 200, respectively. Commandbuttons 165, 265 are used to operate the menu system and requestspecific information for display on the text displays 162, 262. Thesystem status monitor may also be used to configure and setup thestreaming media encoder 100, 200 for operation. The menu system 300illustrated in FIG. 3 provides one example of the data display andconfiguration operations that may be accessible via the system statusmonitor 160, 260. In some embodiments, not all the operationsillustrated will be implemented, and in other embodiments there will beadditional operations not shown here.

At step 305 a user is presented with a main menu. In this embodiment,the main menu includes 3 options, “IP Configuration,” “Encoders,” and“Health Status.” As can be seen from the flow diagram 300, the mainmenu, or the immediately preceding menu, may generally be selected bypressing the menu key, such as may be made available through commandbuttons 165, 265. The other options presented on the menu may beaccessed by using provided directional command buttons 165, 265 and thenby pressing an enter command button 165, 265. In the present example, auser may highlight “IP Configuration” at step 305 and press the entercommand button 165, 265 and then be presented with the prompt of step310, “Welcome to the IP Configuration Wizard.” The SSM 160, 260 thenpresents the user with the option to select which network interface card(NIC) to configure at step 315. As will be described below, thestreaming media encoder 100, 200 may have multiple NICs. The user makesa selection, again using command buttons 165, 265, and is presented withthe option to configure the NIC using dynamic host configurationprotocol (DHCP) at step 320. If DHCP is not to be used, the user entersthe desired internet protocol (IP) address at step 325, the subnet maskat step 320, and the gateway at step 335. The information is thenupdated within the streaming media encoder 100, 200 at step 340. In theevent that the user selects to utilize DHCP at step 320, steps 325-335are bypassed as the configuration information will be obtained from thehost. Upon completion of the information update at step 340, the SSM160, 260 returns to the main menu of step 305.

At step 305, if a user enters the “Encoders” selection, the encodersmenu is presented at step 345. A list of encoders present is displayedalong with the status of the installed encoders. The SSM 160, 260 maycommunicate with the internal encoders using codec control andmanagement software. The user may select a specific encoder in order toobtain more specific information at step 350. At step 350, additionalinformation may be displayed including the format that is output by theencoder (e.g., Windows Media format), as described more fully below. Theuser may select to start or stop the present encoder and information maybe displayed regarding the status of the encoder (e.g., “starting,” or“stopping) at step 355. In the event that a failure occurs, the user ispresented with an appropriate error message at step 360. If the start orstop operation is successful, the display 162, 262 returns to the mainmenu at step 305.

From the main menu 305, the user may select “Health Status” and bepresented with the status menu at step 365. The status menu may presentfurther choices such as “CPU(s),” “Fan(s),” “Memory,” and “NetworkStatus.” If the user selects “CPU(s),” information corresponding to theinternal processing unit, or units, may be presented at step 370. Suchinformation may include speed, fault status, percent utilization,temperature, etc. If the user selects “Fan(s),” information regardingthe internal fans is displayed at step 375. This information may includeoperating status, performance information, failure information,revolutions per minute (RPM), etc. If the user selects “Memory,”information regarding system memory may be displayed at step 380. Thisinformation may include total system memory, memory used, memoryavailable, RAMdisk availability and information, and memory faults. Inother embodiments additional information may be available on this oranother menu such as additional internal temperatures, power supplyvoltages, operating hours or uptime, and OS and other software versioninformation.

From the main menu 305, the user may also choose “Network Status” andview information regarding available hosts, NICs, and other devices onthe network. At step 386, if there are devices available, the hostnameis displayed at step 387. If an IP address is available at step 388 itis displayed at step 389. If no IP address is available at step 388, andif a subnet is available at step 390, the subnet is displayed at step392. If no subnet is available at step 390, and if a gateway isavailable at step 394, the gateway is displayed at step 396. The networkthroughput (e.g., kilobits per second) is then given at step 400. Iffurther devices are present on the network at step 386, steps 387-400may repeat. In some embodiments information may be available regardinginternal NICs such as assigned IP addresses, NIC network statuses, andperformance information (e.g., throughput).

Referring now to FIG. 4, a rear view of one embodiment of a streamingmedia encoder 400 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosureis shown. The streaming media encoder 400 may be substantially similarto the streaming media encoders 100, 200 previously discussed. A rearpanel 405 is shown which provides mounting locations for various inputsand outputs. A power connection 410 is shown which may be a standard110/220 volt connector. A master power switch 415 is shown which maycontrol the main internal power supply. An exhaust vent 435 may beprovided and may be formed integrally with the rear panel 405 or may beremovable. LAN connections 425 are provided as a network interface.Indicator lights 426 may be provided to indicate LAN activity. The LANconnections 425 may be standard RJ-45 connectors or another suitableconnectors interfacing to internal NICs. In one embodiment, thestreaming media encoder 400 may be controllable and configurable via aLAN connection 425. Through the LAN connection 425, a user may havesimilar or greater control over the streaming media encoder 400 as ifusing a system status monitor (SSM) as previously discussed withreference to FIGS. 1-3. Additional functionality may be provided such asthe ability to upgrade software in the streaming media encoder 400. Inone embodiment, the LAN connection 425 or the SSM as previouslydescribed, may be used to force an automatic update of the streamingmedia encoder 400 using codec control and management software.

A test signal loop input 428 may be provided on the streaming mediaencoder 400 as well as a test signal loop output 430, which may then beused to provide a loop input to another nearby device. The loop input428 and output 430 may be standard Bayonet Neil-Concelman (BNC)connectors or other connectors. In one embodiment, the streaming mediaencoder 400 is capable of generating an internal test signal for displayon a front panel confidence monitor as previously discussed. Media cardslots 440 may be provided for loading and unloading media, programming,firmware upgrades, encoding protocols, or other information. The mediacard slots 440 may be configured to accept Compact Flash cards, SecureDigital cards, or some other available media card type. The media cardslots 440 may also be capable of accepting more than one different typeof media card. Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 445 are provided thatmay allow a user to attach an external Input/Output (I/O) device such asa mouse or keyboard. One or more VGA, SVGA, XVGA, or other videoconnections may be provided on the streaming media encoder 400 to beused with an external display device. An external display device may beused on conjunction with a keyboard, mouse, or other device interfacingthrough the USB ports 445 to gain local access and control of thestreaming media encoder 400.

Two input/output channels 450 A and B are shown, but more or fewer maybe provided as dictated by the needs of the user. As can be seen in FIG.4, a variety of options may be provided for connecting the input andoutput signals. Left and right external live return (XLR) inputs 452,454 are provided for balanced audio input. These may provide both analogand digital capabilities. Standard left and right Radio Corporation ofAmerica (RCA) connectors 456, 458 may be provided and offer anunbalanced audio input. Bayonet Neil-Concelman (BNC) connectors 460 maybe provided and may be capable of accepting both audio and video over aserial digital interface (SDI). Mini Deutsche Industry Norm (mini-DIN)connectors 462 for providing S-video signal inputs may also be placed onthe rear panel 405. Other inputs include Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers 1394 standard (IEEE-1394) connectors 464 foraccepting both audio and video over a digital video (DV) interface, andBNC connectors 466 for receiving composite video.

The primary output mechanism for the streaming media encoder 400 will bethe LAN connections 425. In one embodiment, the streaming media encoder400 has a mode of operation where a portion or all of the generatedoutput is stored on an internal mass storage device. However, monitoringoptions may also be provided on the rear panel 405. Output options onchannels A and B 450 may include left and right RCA outputs 468, 470,BNC composite video outputs 472, and S-video outputs 474. The signalactually provided on the outputs may correspond directly to the inputsignal. In this manner the input signal may be viewed using the outputsof the streaming media encoder 405. In another embodiment, the signalprovided on the outputs may come from an internal decoder which decodesthe encoded output signal for immediate external viewing.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of one embodiment of a streamingmedia encoder 500 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosureis shown. Front panel 105 as previously described (or the front panel205 of FIG. 2), attaches to a side panel 505. Similarly rear panel 405is also attached. Two side panels 505 may be provided along with toppanel 510 and bottom panel 515 such that a full enclosure for thestreaming media encoder 500 is provided. Some of the panels 105, 405,505, 510, 515 may be formed integrally or they may be formed separatelyand attached. Screw or bolt holes 520, possibly having captivefasteners, may serve to connect the panels 105, 405, 505, 510, 515.Slots or grooves 525 may be formed in the side panels 505 of thestreaming media encoder 500 to aid in installation of the device.Ventilation grating 530 may be provided to aid in cooling of thestreaming media encoder 500.

FIG. 6. is a perspective view of the streaming media encoder 500 of FIG.5. From this perspective view it can be seen that the panels 105, 405,505, 510, 515 come together to form a full enclosure for the streamingmedia encoder 500. The various dimensions of the panels 105, 405, 505,510, 515 may be chosen to fit the needs of the user and any requirementsfor the internal size of the streaming media encoder 500 owing tointernal componentry. In one embodiment, the streaming media encoder 500will be of an industry standard size for mounting in a rack-basedenclosure. For example, the streaming media encoder 500 may be a 2Urack-mount size (3.5 inches high×19 inches wide×22 inches deep). In someembodiments, the top panel 510 and/or the bottom panel 515 provideadditional ventilation, such as ventilation grid 550.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a plurality of streaming media encoders in oneembodiment of a rack mounting system 700 in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure is shown. A plurality of streaming media encoders500, as previously described, may be mounted in a single rack system700. The rack system 700 may provide side panels 705, possibly withventilation grates 707, and a top panel 710. The front and back panelsof the streaming media encoders 500 may left open and accessible.Mounting holes 750 on the streaming media encoders 500, as previouslydescribed, can be used to secure the encoders into the rack 700. In oneembodiment, the mounting holes 750 may have a captive fasteners, such asscrews or bolts, to aid in securing the streaming media encoders 500 tothe rack 700. The rack 700 is meant to illustrate only one possibleexample and in other embodiments a rack system may have more or fewercomponents and hold more or fewer streaming media encoder 500 than shownin FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of a streaming mediaencoder according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Thestreaming media encoder 800 is substantially similar to those previouslydescribed. A main logic board 810 is powered by a power supply 815. Themain logic board 810 has one or more video capture cards 825communicatively coupled thereto. The video capture cards are attached toa series of I/O ports 450, as previously described, which are mounted inthe back panel 405. Both the video capture card 825 and the main logicboard 810 may also be interfaced to additional communication and controlports 830 (e.g., loop I/O, USB, NICs, and media ports as describedpreviously with respect to FIG. 4). The main logic board 810 is alsointerfaced to mass storage device 830, which may be powered by powersupply 815. Similarly, the main logic board 810 is interfaced to thefront panel 105 which includes the confidence monitor 115, audio level125 meters, system status monitor (SSM) 160 and the additional commandbuttons described with respect to FIG. 1. An optional internal speaker840 is provided behind front grille 145. A series of cooling fans 850may also be provided at various locations within the streaming mediaencoder 800.

The main logic board 810 may be a commercially available, off-the-shelfunit, such as a personal computer mother board. In other embodiments,the main logic board 810 may be specifically built for its purpose. Themain logic board 810 and other components of the streaming media encoder800 may be powered by the power supply 815, which may be a commerciallyavailable personal computer power supply. The main logic board 810 willinclude the necessary ports, memory, and other hardware to interfacewith all of the necessary internal components of the streaming mediaencoder 800. The main logic board 810 may also support the operation ofone or more central processing units (CPUs) (not shown). In oneembodiment, the main logic board 810 has an integrated hard drivecontroller for interfacing with the mass storage device 830.

The video capture cards 825 may be separate components that mount into abus provided on the main logic board 810. The video capture cards 825may be Osprey 560 video capture cards produced by ViewCast Corporationof Dallas, Tex. In another embodiment, the video capture cards 825 areintegrated into the main logic board 810. The video capture cards 825may be used to take an analog or digital input signal, which may includeaudio or video signals, and convert the signals into a streaming mediaformat. In some embodiments, the video capture cards 825 may also encodethe captured digital signal into a desired streaming media format. Inother embodiments, the main logic board 810 will take the captureddigital signal and encode it into a streaming media format. Examples ofencoded formats can include, but are not limited to, Windows Mediaformat from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., Real Media formatfrom Real Networks, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., Flash Video format fromMacromedia, Inc., of San Francisco, Calif., QuickTime format by AppleComputer, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., and various standards from theMotion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG). In some embodiments, the videocapture cards 825 may be upgradable such as by replacing the firmware,or by loading new programming data from the main logic board 810. Thevideo capture cards and the hardware or software components of mainlogic board 810 may also be adapted to support Digital Rights Management(DRM) and other intellectual property protection schemes.

The mass storage device 830 may be a commercially available personalcomputer or notebook computer hard disk drive. In other embodiments themass storage device will be purpose built. The mass storage device 830may include redundancy or other data protection measures. The massstorage device may also include encryption for data protection. Inanother embodiment, the mass storage device 830 may be a solid statedevice such as a flash-based drive. The mass storage device may be usedto store and access the programming and operating system for thestreaming media encoder 800. In one embodiment, the operating system forthe streaming media encoder 800 will be Windows XP Professional, fromMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. In other embodiments, theoperating system may be an open source or purpose built system.

The speaker 840 is also a commercially available component. The speaker840 may be a low-power speaker that can be powered from integratedamplifiers within the streaming media encoder 800. Similarly, the fans850 may be commercially available, off the shelf components. In otherembodiments, the fans 850 may be specifically chosen or designed to takeadvantage of specific airflow properties within the streaming mediaencoder 800 or its mounting enclosure.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram 900 of a streaming media encoderaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. Shown is a main logicboard 810 and a video capture card 825, both previously described. Aseries of signal input leads 910, which correspond to the inputconnections previously described are connected into multiplexer 915.Additionally, one or more of the input leads 910 may be separatelymultiplexed with a test signal by multiplexer 920. From multiplexer 915,the selected input lead is fed to a decoder 930. The decoder 930 resideson the video capture card 825 and converts the input signal from variousformats and digitizes it before it is passed to the capture mechanism935. From the capture mechanism 935, the digitized input signal is madeavailable to a host encoder 940.

The host encoder 940 may be a function of the main logic board 810, orin another embodiment, a function of the capture card 825. As describedbefore, the host encoder 940 can convert the digitized input signal intoa desired output format, which includes media formats which may bestreamed to an end user or viewer. The encoded signal may be transmittedvia one or more LAN connectors 425 over a network 950 (such as theInternet) to an end user, or the encoded signal stored on the massstorage device 830 for later retrieval.

The encoded output signal may also be provided to a host decoder 955.The host decoder 995 may be a function of the video capture card 825,the main logic board 810, or other internal components. The newlydecoded output signal may then be displayed on a confidence monitor 960such as those previously described. In another embodiment, the newlydecoded output signal may be fed into a digital to analog converter 965.The analog signal may then be multiplexed with the original undecodedsignal at multiplexer 970. In this manner the input confidence monitor975 may also be used to display the output signal from the streamingmedia encoder 900. This allows a single confidence monitor 975 to beused to view both input and output signals for the streaming mediaencoder 900.

Referring now to FIG. 10, one embodiment of an operating environment1000 for one or more streaming media encoders according to aspects ofthe present disclosure is shown. One or more streaming media encoders500, as have been herein described, may be a part of a set or system ofstreaming media encoders 700. The system 700 may be a rack mountedenclosure. The set of streaming media encoders 700 may be able to handlemultiple input and output sessions concurrently. Various sources mayprovide the content feeds which are to be encoded. A remote locationtelevision vehicle 1010 and camera 1012 system may provide a live ortape delayed input to the streaming media encoder system 700. Anarchival storage system 1015 may also provide an input feed. Thearchival storage system 1015 may be a database or repository of pastbroadcast programming, for example. A satellite feed 1020 may also serveas input to the streaming media encoder system 700. Cable televisionprogramming feeds 1030 may also be used as input to the encoder system700.

Each of the streaming media encoders 500 may be separately connected tothe network 1015, which may be the Internet. In another embodiment, thestreaming media encoders may be connected to a local network which isthen connected to the Internet 1050. Through the Internet, the streamingmedia encoders 500 and/or the encoder system 700 may connect to endusers at viewing stations 1060 or to media servers 1055. While theviewing stations 1060 may access real-time streaming content from thestreaming media encoder system 700, the media server 1055 may store orarchive streaming content for later viewing or access by other users.Users may access the streaming media encoders 500, system 700, or mediaservers 1055 by a personal computer or other packet based communicationsystem.

Referring also now to FIG. 11, a flow chart 1100 corresponding to onepossible mode of operation of a streaming media encoder according toaspects of the present invention is shown. The flow chart 1100 is meantto serve only as an example of a simple receipt and encoding process, asother operations are contemplated within the present disclosure. Aninput signal is received at step 1100, such as a signal from one of thesources 1010-1030 of FIG. 10. The input signal may be displayed to afront panel confidence monitor of the streaming media encoder at step1110. The received signal is captured at step 1130 and provided to anencoder where it is encoded into the desired streaming media format atstep 1140. At step 1150 if the encoded content is to be stored, it isstored on the mass storage device at step 1160. The signal is thenstreamed or transmitted to the recipient from the streaming mediaencoder at step 1170. Although the process has been shown as a series ofdiscrete steps, in practice each of the steps happens substantiallyconcurrently as the input stream and output stream may be substantiallycontinuous.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a flow chart 1200 corresponding to anotherpossible mode of operation of a streaming media encoder according toaspects of the present invention is shown. Some aspects of the mode ofoperation shown by flowchart 1200 are similar to those shown in the flowchart 1100 of FIG. 11. For example, the process of the flow chart 1200includes receiving a signal at step 1210, displaying to a confidencemonitor at step 1220, and capturing the signal at step 1230. The capturestep 1230 differs from that of FIG. 11 in that a closed captioning feedis also captured from the received signal.

The closed captioning signal provides textual content related to thevideo and audio signal. In some instances, a transcript of the currentbroadcast is provided concurrently with the audio and video portions ofthe broadcast. In other cases, an alternate language transcript of thecurrent broadcast is provided in the closed captioning feed. If thestreaming media encoder has been configured to store the closedcaptioning feed at step 1240, the captured closed captioning feed isthen stored at step 1280. In one embodiment, the captured feed is storedas an extensible markup language (XML) file. The captured feed may bestored in a mass storage device for later retrieval and/or archiving.

At step 1260 the audio portion, video portion, and/or closed captioningportion of the received input signal may be encoded. If the streamingmedia encoder has been configured to store the encoded media file atstep 1270, the captured feed may be stored in a mass storage device atstep 1280 for later retrieval and/or archiving. At step 1290 thecaptured and encoded video and audio signal are transmitted, possiblythrough one or more LAN connections, as previously described.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that this invention provides a broadband informationappliance. It should be understood that The drawings and detaileddescription herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive manner, and are not intended to limit The invention to Theparticular forms and examples disclosed. On The contrary, The inventionincludes any further modifications, changes, rearrangements,substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent tothose of ordinary skill in The art, without departing from The spiritand scope of this invention, as defined by The following claims. Thus,it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions,alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

1. A streaming media encoder for encoding and delivering media contentcomprising: a media input interface for receiving a media stream; amedia encoder for receiving the media stream from the media inputinterface and encoding the media stream, thereby producing an encodedmedia stream; a first confidence monitor for displaying a video imagefrom the received media stream; a second confidence monitor fordisplaying a video image from the encoded media stream; and a networkinterface for providing the encoded media stream to a network.
 2. Thestreaming media encoder of claim 1, further comprising a rack mountablehousing having a front panel and a back panel, the front panelconfigured to support the confidence monitor and the back panelconfigured to support the media input interface and the networkinterface.
 3. The streaming media encoder of claim 1, further comprisinga set of user controls for interacting with the streaming media encoderto determine an encoding standard for encoding the media stream.
 4. Thestreaming media encoder of claim 1, wherein the first and secondconfidence monitors comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. 5.The streaming media encoder of claim 1, further comprising a textualdisplay for providing status information.
 6. The streaming media encoderof claim 1, further comprising monitor output connectors adapted toprovide a signal corresponding to the media stream.
 7. The streamingmedia encoder of claim 1, further comprising: a system status monitorproviding a series of navigational menus for display on the textualdisplay; and a plurality of command buttons for selecting menu optionsto access system status information for the streaming media encoder. 8.The streaming media encoder of claim 1, further comprising a mediadecoder adapted to decode the encoded media stream and provide a decodedvideo signal to the second confidence monitor.
 9. The streaming mediaencoder of claim 1, wherein the input interface is digital videointerface.
 10. The streaming media encoder of claim 1, wherein theinternal media encoder is software programmable.
 11. The streaming mediaencoder of claim 1, wherein the streaming media encoder may beconfigured remotely via a web interface through the network interface.12. The streaming media encoder of claim 1, further comprising apersonal computer (PC) motherboard interconnecting the media inputinterface, the media encoder, the first confidence monitor, the secondconfidence monitor, and the network interface.
 13. A streaming mediaencoder for encoding and delivering media content comprising: a housinghaving a front panel and back panel; a local area network (LAN) adapteraccessible via the back panel; an audiovisual input jack accessible viathe back panel; an LCD display viewable via the front panel fordisplaying an input video loop signal corresponding to an input mediastream from the audiovisual media input jack, and for displaying anoutput video loop signal corresponding to an unencoded output mediastream; a multiline LED textual display viewable via the front panel; aplurality of user interface controls accessible via the front panel; aninternal control board interfaced with the LAN adapter, the input jack,the LCD display, the textual display, and the user interface controls;an internal video encoder adapted to receive the input media stream fromthe audiovisual input jack, provide the input loop signal correspondingthe input media stream to the LCD display, encode the input media streaminto an encoded media stream, and provide the encoded media stream tothe control board; and an internal video decoder adapted to receive theencoded media stream from the internal video encoder, decode the encodedmedia stream into the unencoded output media stream, and provide theoutput video loop signal corresponding to the unencoded output mediastream to the LCD display; wherein the control board is adapted toprovide the encoded media stream as a streaming media stream to anetwork connected through the LAN.
 14. The streaming media encoder ofclaim 13 wherein the control board is a personal computer (PC)motherboard.
 15. The streaming media encoder of claim 13 furthercomprising a mass storage device interfaced to the control board andadapted to store the encoded media stream.
 16. A method for monitoringan encoding process of an audiovisual media a stream, comprising:receiving an input signal from an analog audiovisual source; capturing atext feed from the audiovisual source; encoding the input signal,including the text feed, to produce an encoded media stream; providingthe encoded media stream to an network interface; and displaying thereceived input signal on a confidence monitor.
 17. The method of claim16 further comprising storing the encoded media stream on a mass storagesystem.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing thecaptured text feed as an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file on a massstorage system.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprisingtransmitting the XML file over the network interface.
 20. The method ofclaim 16 wherein encoding comprises converting the analog signal into anMPEG standard format.
 21. The method of claim 16 wherein encodingcomprises encoding the input signal into an Internet streamable digitalformat.
 22. A streaming media encoder for encoding and delivering mediacontent comprising: a plurality of media input interfaces for receivinga plurality of media streams; a media encoder for receiving theplurality of media streams from the input interfaces and encoding themedia streams, thereby producing a plurality of encoded media streams; aconfidence monitor for displaying a video image from at least one of theplurality the received media streams; a plurality of network interfacesfor providing the at least one of the plurality of encoded media streamsto a network; and a media decoder for decoding at least one of theencoded media streams for display on the confidence monitor.
 23. Thestreaming media encoder of claim 22 further comprising an inputselection switch.
 24. The streaming media encoder of claim 22 furthercomprising a loop input for receiving a test signal for display on theconfidence monitor.
 25. The streaming media encoder of claim 22 whereinthe confidence monitor is a liquid crystal display (LCD).
 26. Thestreaming media encoder of claim 22 further comprising user controlinputs for controlling an encoding protocol for the media encoder. 27.The streaming media encoder of claim 22 further comprising a textdisplay and command buttons for providing control of the media encoder.28. The streaming media encoder of claim 22 further comprising indicatorlights for indicating a fault condition.
 29. The streaming media encoderof claim 22 wherein the media encoder is a video capture card andencoding logic.
 30. The streaming media encoder of claim 22 furthercomprising network interfaces for transmitting the encoded mediastreams.
 31. The streaming media encoder of claim 22 further comprisingmass storage for storing the encoded media stream.
 32. The streamingmedia encoder of claim 22 wherein the confidence monitor is configuredto cycle between the display of at least two of the plurality ofreceived media streams.
 33. The streaming media encoder of claim 22,further comprising a personal computer (PC) motherboard interconnectingthe plurality of media input interfaces, the media encoder, theconfidence monitor, the plurality of network interfaces, and the mediadecoder.